|
|
|
|
|
|
Ian said softly. "Let us say that you did me the courtesy to come and see if I was well enough to fight, so that you could ask the king to appoint another leader if needful. You have seen that I am quite well. Tell me something more important. Does Oxford hold to his intention about Ireland?" |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Ian," Salisbury said painfully, "please answer me." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"What do you want me to say?" Ian asked furiously. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"It must be plain, my Lord Salisbury, that my husband felt an urgent need to enlist support for me," Alinor put in smoothly. She liked Salisbury, and she was sorry for him, torn as he was between his love for his brother and his fear for Ian. He had tried to save Ian; he had offered him an easy way out. It had given Alinor no flicker of hope; she had known Ian's answer before the suggestion was made. "The king has a long-standing grudge against me, and perhaps I deserve it. Many years ago, he offered me a compliment that I took amiss. I am sorry to admit that I have a very hot temper. I lost control of it, and I struck him with an embroidery frame. The Angevin memory is very long. Ian fears for me." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Salisbury did not lift his head. He raised the wine to his lips and set it down again untasted, as if he could not swallow. "You are very kind to take the blame, Lady Alinor," he muttered. "I understand that Ian wished to protect you. What I do not understand is why he felt the need to be so urgent. It does happen, of course, but it is not common for men to die on the tourney field." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ian slammed his eating knife down on the table. "The king is your brother and my liege lord," he snarled. "It is scarce fitting for me to answer you. Go ask of his enemies." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"I know what his enemies will say," Salisbury whispered. "I want to know the truth." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"I do not know the truth, William," Ian said more gently, "and I do not wish to know it unless it be to |
|
|
|
|
|